Activities of Technology Environment Society

'Vision Probaho', the mother organization of Technology Environment Society, was a group of the Ph.D. students of IIT Kharagpur with a mission to work for the sustainability of the environment. With time, there came the need to move it under the authority of Gymkhana. And finally, in November 2021, the Technology Environment Society (TES) was founded as a Student Welfare Society. From the start, the goal of TES is to the conservation and preservation of the environment and to promote sustainability in society.

After the foundation of TES, various projects, seminars and social outreach programs were organized with a unified mission of making everyone more aware of the importance of sustainability in today’s world. These activities of TES during 2024- 25 are described in the following:

Activities of Technology Environment Society

Academic Year 2024-25

1. Treasure Hunt:
The Technology Environment Society organized a highly successful treasure hunt event on campus, attracting over 1800 students from various departments of IIT Kharagpur. The event aimed to promote awareness about the society’s activities and emphasize the importance of adopting eco-friendly practices. Through an engaging and interactive format, participants navigated through various eco-themed clues and challenges spread across the campus, learning about sustainability and environmental responsibility along the way. The overwhelming turnout demonstrated the enthusiasm and interest of the student community in environmental issues, aligning with the society’s mission to foster eco-awareness. This event not only served as an educational platform but also strengthened student engagement with the society’s initiatives, making it a landmark event in our efforts to build a sustainable and eco-conscious campus.

2. Induction Program:
Following the treasure hunt, the Technology Environment Society organized an induction program to introduce students to our activities, initiatives, and the team, while emphasizing the importance of protecting nature. The program highlighted various events we conduct to promote sustainability on campus and invited interested students to join our team. This provided an opportunity for new members to actively contribute to our initiatives, participate in future events, and collaborate on promoting eco-friendly practices. The induction aimed to engage and inspire students to take on active roles in advancing environmental sustainability at IIT Kharagpur.

3. Swacchata hi seva
On the 1st of October, the Technology Environment Society, in collaboration with Gymkhana, IIT Kharagpur, organized the "Swacchata Hi Seva" event, attracting over 1500 participants, including students, staff, and faculty. The event aimed to promote cleanliness and environmental sustainability by bringing the campus community together to clean various areas of the campus. Participants were divided into teams to collect litter, clean pathways, and beautify public spaces, fostering a sense of responsibility towards maintaining a cleaner environment. The event emphasized that cleanliness should not be a one-time effort but a continuous practice, encouraging participants to adopt sustainable habits like proper waste disposal and reducing plastic use. The success of the event showcased the power of collective action, reinforcing the importance of cleanliness and sustainability in ensuring IIT Kharagpur remains a model of environmental consciousness.

4. Tree Census Project: The tree census is a crucial scientific, technological, and educational initiative that enables us to classify the tree population based on structure, function, and value. The findings from this census will assist us in monitoring the health of the trees on campus, allowing for the identification of stress causes that can be reported to the relevant authorities. To conduct the census, the entire campus has been divided into grids, with each grid assigned to a group of students. These groups further divide their tasks to note down the details and locations of the trees, which are then digitized along with their information. This comprehensive data collection not only facilitates easier research and paperwork for future studies but also enhances our understanding of the campus's ecological health. This is the first of its kind project within Indian Institutes happening at a very large scale.

5. Spring Fest Celebration:Spring Fest is the celebration of youth in this evergreen campus. We installed a stall to use this chance to make our young students aware of the problems and possible solutions of the problems that our environment is facing. We also organized a Treasure Hunt, which witnessed a very enthusiastic participation of more than hundred students. We also created some bookmarks, paintings etc. by reusing waste papers and colors. We also encouraged everyone to use biodegradable bags in collaboration with artists from Pingla village.

6. Plantation Drive:
On the 6th of October, the Technology Environment Society, in association with Shaurya, organized a plantation drive across various locations on campus, including Nalanda, Mahatma Gandhi Stadium, near LLR Hall, the Geology Department, behind the herbal garden, and Coral. This initiative aimed to enhance the greenery of the campus while raising awareness about the importance of tree planting and environmental conservation. The drive saw active participation from students, faculty, and staff, all contributing to the effort to make the campus more eco-friendly and sustainable.

7. Capture the campus:
The Technology Environment Society has launched an initiative called "Capture the Campus" to support photographers within the IIT Kharagpur community. This initiative aims to encourage and showcase the talent of budding photographers by providing them with a platform to capture the beauty and vibrancy of our campus. Participants will have the opportunity to photograph various aspects of campus life, nature, and events, highlighting the unique environment of IIT Kharagpur. Through this initiative, we aim to foster creativity, promote environmental awareness, and create a visual narrative that celebrates our campus and its community.

8. Environment Day Celebration :
In collaboration with the Mishka Foundation, the Technology Environment Society celebrated World Environment Day with a series of impactful initiatives. The celebration included a tree plantation drive to enhance the campus greenery, the release of our annual magazine, and the publication of a campus tree census report, which highlighted the diversity and importance of trees on campus. Additionally, an eco-quiz was conducted to engage young minds and promote environmental awareness among students. Through these activities, we aimed to foster a deeper understanding of environmental issues and inspire the community to take an active role in sustainability efforts.

Technology Environment Society aims to enhance and preserve the socio-ecological space within the IIT Kharagpur campus, with a focus on sustainability and community welfare. We wish to increase our area of work in the future and spread awareness about sustainability of the environment among the common people beyond the walls of KGP.